Handy Handouts

Free, educational handouts for teachers and parents*

Number 308

What Is a 504 Plan?

by Rynette R. Kjesbo, M.S., CCC-SLP
A 504 Plan is a special plan for a student who has
a disability but does not qualify for an Individualized
Education Program (IEP). The number 504 refers to
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This federal
law protects students with disabilities. It states that a
student with a disability cannot be excluded from any
programs or activities that receive federal funding. Section
504 ensures that students who have disabilities have
equal access to education as do their peers who do not
havedisabilities.
A 504 Plan identifies accommodations and
modifications a student with a disability may need in order
to participate in programs and activities. Accommodations
and modifications on a 504 Plan may include (but are not limited to) special
seating assignments (for example, near the door, near the bathroom, or near the
teacher), additional time to complete tests or assignments, or using a recorder to
recordlessons.

How Does a Student Qualify for a 504 Plan?

According to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (2011),
for eligibility under Section 504, a student must be determined to: (1) have a
physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life
activities; or (2) have a record of such an impairment; or (3) be regarded as having
such an impairment. If a student meets these qualifications, the parents/caregivers
and the educational team need to determine if the effect of the students impairment
is so significant that accommodations and/or modifications are necessary for the
student to be able to access programs and activities.

How Is a 504 Plan Different From an

Individualized Education Program (IEP)?
If a student has a disability that requires him/her to receive specialized
instruction (instruction that is different from that of his/her peers who do not have
disabilities), the student is eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
In order to be eligible for an IEP, a students disability must fall under one of the
www.handyhandouts.com 2011 Super Duper Publications www.superduperinc.com

categories specified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there
must be an evaluation which shows that the students disability interferes with
his/her ability to learn the educational material that is taught to all students, and
there is evidence that the student requires special education services.
It is possible for a student to have a disability and not qualify for special
education services and an IEP because he/she does not need different instruction. If
a student is not eligible to receive an IEP, he/she may be eligible for a 504 Plan if he/
she needs accommodations or modifications in order to have an equal opportunity
to perform at the level of his/her peers. For more information about the eligibility
criteria for IEPs or 504 Plans, contact your childs school.
Resource
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. (2011). Frequently asked questions about section 504 and the education
of children with disabilities. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html

For more Handy Handouts, go to www.handyhandouts.com.

Helpful Products
The list of Super Duper products below may be helpful when working with children who have special
needs. Visit www.superduperinc.com and type in the item name or number in our search engine. Click the links
below to see the product descriptions.

Webber HearBuilder Following Directions

Professional Edition
Item #HBPE-133

Webber Functional Communication

Photo Lotto at School
Item #GB-360

Making a Difference for Americas Children

(Second Edition)
Item #TP-29703

Contextualized Language Intervention

Item #TPX-29801

*Handy Handouts are for classroom and personal use only. Any commercial use is strictly prohibited.
www.handyhandouts.com 2011 Super Duper Publications www.superduperinc.com